🌊 Gallipoli's Sunken History: 15,000 Divers Explore Underwater Museum 🤿

Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park Draws 15,000 Divers in Just Two Years

The Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park in Çanakkale, northwestern Türkiye, has quickly become one of Europe's most intriguing diving destinations, welcoming 15,000 divers since its opening in 2021. 🎉

Located off the storied Gallipoli Peninsula, the park preserves more than a century of maritime history. Its 23 World War I shipwrecks — including the HMS Majestic, HMS Triumph, and several Ottoman-era vessels — offer divers a rare opportunity to explore well-preserved remnants of one of the most decisive campaigns of the First World War.

A Journey Through a Time Tunnel ⏳

According to Ismail Kaşdemir, head of the Gallipoli Historic Site Directorate, the site has evolved into "one of the world's leading centers for historical diving." He emphasized that the underwater museum-like environment allows visitors to experience history "as a journey through a time tunnel," revealing the human and strategic dimensions of the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign from a unique underwater perspective.

"This park is more than a diving site; it is an open-air museum that tells a profound story of history, visible beneath the waves. It connects us directly to the events and the humanity of the Gallipoli Campaign."

Rising Popularity and Future Plans 📈

Interest in the park continues to rise sharply. Around 5,000 divers visited in 2024, a number expected to double in 2025. To further expand its international visibility, Türkiye plans to promote the park at the upcoming diving fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, in January.

Key objectives for the park's development include:

• Enhancing international promotion through major tourism and diving fairs
• Improving on-site facilities for professional and amateur divers
• Implementing advanced conservation techniques to protect the historic wrecks

Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, ongoing initiatives aim to position the site among the world's top three diving destinations. Authorities also plan to extend similar historical and recreational diving experiences to other coastal and inland regions across Türkiye. 🌍

⚠️ Important Notice: All diving activities within the park are regulated. Divers must be accompanied by certified guides, and the removal of any artifacts is strictly prohibited to preserve this invaluable historical heritage.

✅ The success of the Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park demonstrates a powerful model for sustainable cultural tourism, merging historical preservation with unique recreational opportunities.